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Saturday, May 11, 2013

Club Aria - another racist shithole

I was the only woman of colour in that whole place when this incident took place. Trust me when I say this, I know Peterborough is an epitome of racism where so much happens that its absolutely invisible but this was absolutely disgusting; so this is what I ended up writing to the owner of the establishment, Lang Freeman [He has not bothered to get back to me with any kind of response]

Last night was the second time I visited Club Aria and before that I used to be more or less regular person
at Splice but this is one of the most ridiculous things that happened to
me tonight.

Just before we start off with the conversation, I usually go dancing but I never drink. I have never touched alcohol. I think most North American do drink but I grew up as Muslim, and I like to preserve that part of tradition where we dont consume alcohol aka I have never consumed alcohol in my life.

One of his bouncers escorted me out to speak with me, he
started off with extremely racist assumptions about myself where he
started off with;

"I dont know if its a cultural thing for you people but East Indian people like yourself...."

"How East Indian people have a cultural odour problem.."

Other than that certain assumptions were made about my personal hygiene, which were
unsubstantiated on one hand, and were stated as racist stereotypes about
an ethnicity that I was assumed to be.

"Indian people like yourself should be using deodorants.."

He further added that the reason he was doing this because the "guests" who were less than 10 on the dance floor before midnight, complained about the "odor".

At
that point I was fuming in rage as I have never been dealt by anyone in
such a racist and disrespectful manner at any business or
establishment.

First of all, I am Pakistani and second of all, thank you
for not noticing as I stood there in rain trying to digest what was
sent my way when I was not remotely anything as such.

I was told by this bouncer that "I should go home and get a deodorant" and I told him that I would rather leave cos this is absolutely disgusting.

This bouncer was just one step away from saying, "Oh you are brown and because this is a white space, you should leave"or

"hey your brown skin is just making all the white people here uncomfortable"

Rather than that they choose to make this huge elaborate story about "hygiene" & racial stereotypes cos obviously it is so fucking cool to do so and I am sure they have got away with it in the past.

I was alone and the only woman of colour in that whole place when this incident took place.

Rest
assured I wont be spending my money at this club ever again. I am not sure if you care about racism by your staff towards your customers but I find it highly repulsive and I am reporting Club Aria to all the appropriate reporting authorities.

Fuck them and their racism!

Website: www.clubaria.ca
Twitter: @aria_inc

Addendum: May 13 - This is what the disaster management of shitty club does, when they cant respond they turn you into a drunk.. LMAO.. guess what I have never touched alcohol in my life. I didnt grew up with alcohol and I dont keep it in my home and I dont drink it with my friends.

You can find the video on Youtube by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IL512bUalM8

"No Sir, this correspondence is not over, I was
dancing on my own, and I was not harming anyone. I have never had drink
in my life and I was not drunk.

Your bouncer ......,
explicity told me that "I need to go and get a deoadrant" and "East
Indian people have an odour problem" I told him that I would rather
leave because this was despicable.

There were less than 10 people on the dance floor at 11:30 ish
and I did not interact with any of them. You might have staff which are
non-canadian and you might be an Arab that does not makes you less of
racist for covering it up for your staff and it also does not makes you
less of "businessman" protecting his business so that no one can point
you out.

I saw the statement Club Aria released to Chex TV that "I was
drunk" and "we have not interviewed the bouncer", well great to see your
prejudice right there.

I am taking you to Human Rights Tribunal and I do not care if I get anything out of it.

P.S. Do not teach me about loving and caring for Peterborough
when its people and establishments like Aria make it unbearable for
other people

Speaking as a white male multi-generational Canadian (something I don't normally underscore/mention, but given the context felt warranted) I find this conduct you describe despicable, contemptible, contemptuous, totally inexcusable, and most definitely unacceptable!!! Good luck and nail them to the wall for this, there can be no excuse for this, there can be no compromise with his, and there can be no surrender to this sort of thing! It insults my honour, my family's honour, and my nation's honour when this sort of thing happens in this country, especially when it is then defended in such a manner by the owner. I thought we had issues down here in Nova Scotia for this but wow, I can't recall the last time I've heard the sort of comments you mentioned, at least not since I was still in public school 30+ years ago now.

While I am sorry it happened to you if it had to happen I am glad it happened to someone who is not just going to take it lying down and instead fights back against this kind of naked xenophobia (I prefer the term myself, it covers all forms of racism, sexism, homophobia into one overall concept that is something needing dealing with, because at the heart of all of this is the fear of that which is different from ourselves). You have my well wishes and my hopes that you are able to make a positive change come from this, as it clearly is needed.